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The passion I have for my subject matter is the vital driving force behind my desire to be an artist. Ever present in my work is the theme of conflict, whether it is human conflict or that within nature itself. My studio is situated on a lush country estate. There, the seasonal changes unfolding dramatically day by day in a relentless cycle of decay and regeneration, provide an ideal hunting ground for ideas. Taking advantage of this, many of my paintings are begun outdoors. Painting with gouache on paper and using a direct approach I aim to capture spontaneously the great richness and magic of the life forms around me. Fallen leaves, feathers, parasitic fungi and rolling clouds are often incorporated in my work, acting as metaphors for nature's cycle of life as well as humanity's own struggle for survival. In conjunction with my scrutiny of nature I have a deep interest in the subject of war. This interest stems from the personal experiences of my parents during World War Two. Vividly imprinted in their memories, their tales continuously provide me with a fascinating insight and tangible link with an event that still casts it's shadow over our lives today. Through the juxtaposition of these two themes, I aim to create visual analogies linking the struggles for survival to be found in man and those within nature itself. I often make research trips in Britain and abroad to explore places of historical importance as well as reading many books on the subjects that interest me. Many of my finds on these trips appear in my work ,such as abandoned airfield watch towers, overgrown runways and battle scarred concrete bunkers. In these paintings the scars of past conflicts serve as reminders of man's propensity to war while the inevitability of the spreading weeds and transient skies threaten to erase their significance. Stephen Barclay. |
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